Email clients for Exchange

Exchange email access requires an email "client" or the use of a Web browser "webmail" interface. Email clients are discussed here. For information about webmail, see Outlook Web Access. (For a discussion of the difference between clients and servers, click here.)

Options for Windows systems

For Windows PCs, the standard method of accessing email is with Microsoft Outlook, email client software which is part of the Microsoft Office software suite. Currently, Outlook 98, 2000, XP, 2003, and 2007 are supported.

For maximum functionality, Outlook should be set to communicate with Exchange using MAPI. This is the standard setting for non-portable Windows computers configured for operation on the Medical Center wired network. Note that MAPI can only be used from off-campus or over the campus wireless network by using with a VPN connection.

Third-party clients like Eudora may also be used as well as the "lite" version of Outlook (Outlook Express). These clients should be configured with these IMAP settings (since only Outlook supports MAPI):

Exchange incoming (IMAP) server: mail.med.miami.edu

Exchange outgoing (SMTP) server: mail.med.miami.edu

LDAP server: ldap.med.miami.edu

Search string: dc=ad,dc=med,dc=miami,dc=edu

Every IMAP client will need the first two settings. Some will need the last two in order to support directory access and name searches.

Options for Apple/Mac systems

For Apple/Mac, Microsoft offers Entourage as a substitute for Outlook. Use the same settings listed above to configure the Entourage client to use the Microsoft Exchange email service. Note: Entourage on a Mac functions somewhat differently than Outlook -- email is synchronized in user-set time intervals and each time the synchronization occurs, all folders and sub-folders will synchronize as well. The larger your mail box, the longer it will take to synchronize these folders.

Added VPN security

A VPN connection is not required to use IMAP email clients with Exchange on the Medical Center network or remote sites. However, if you are located off the campus network and use an IMAP email client to access sensitive data or information, it is your responsibility to use a VPN service to ensure that the sensitive data is encrypted while in transit across the public Internet. We provide a VPN service for your use: the Secure Gateway (clientless VPN).

As noted above, if you are using Outlook in MAPI mode from an off-campus location, using the connection provided by your ISP. When accessing it over the wireless network, you must use a VPN connection.

Alternatives to installing an email client

Outlook Web Access (OWA) allows access to Exchange email using a Web browser instead of an installed email client. Note that OWA does not allow remote access to your network files (personal home directory and shared directories). For that, use the Citrix Applications Portal, which also accesses resources via a Web browser.